La Boite Theatre commissioned The Matilda Women for Australia’s Bicentennial in 1988 as a one-off theatre piece celebrating early Queensland women. It was an immediate success, praised for its inventiveness, fresh approach to history, championing of women’s voices, and strong performances—earning an inaugural Matilda Award that year.
In many ways, the play epitomised La Boite, then regarded as one of Australia’s most dynamic alternative theatre companies. It seized the initiative on an issue of contemporary relevance, created simple yet vibrantly effective theatre in the round, and gave voice not only to the women it portrayed but also to its talented cast and predominantly female creative team.
The play’s significance became clear as it returned for three more seasons at La Boite, toured three times across the state for both youth and adult audiences, became a studied text, and enjoyed over 40 full productions by schools, colleges, and community groups in Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Christchurch, New Zealand. Playlab published the play in 1993 and issued a second edition in 2009.
Since its inception, The Matilda Women has introduced many thousands to nine early Queensland women. What began as a modest attempt to give voice to a few women in Queensland’s history has, in time, become almost historical in its own right.
Yet its importance as a catalyst for the telling of women’s stories remains undiminished. The original aim was to explore the strengths and achievements of women in the past to inspire and empower women of the future—an aim that continues to resonate strongly with La Boite Theatre today.
Sue Rider, Writer & Director
La Boite Artistic Director (1993 - 2000)
La Boite Encores | The Matilda Women
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF OPENING NIGHTS AND OPENING MINDS
